BoxCar

There are lots of choices for handheld (HH) radios for a lot less than the $200 Midland wants for theirs. Some other brands to look at include Wouxun, Retevis, Radioddity, TID, and BTECH (Baofeng) to name a few. Prices range from $24 for a Baofeng UV-5G to $70 for a pair of Baofeng UV-5R radios on the first Amazon page I pulled up. Personally, I've been reading good reports on the Radioddity and the TID radios along with the more expensive Wouxun units.

I like Gretsch

How do you know you aren't transmitting? Channel 1 is simplex meaning you receive on the same frequency where on repeater channel 1 you are using two frequencies.

Let's break your statement down. First of all, you are correct in that the radius is an approximation (really, guesstimation) on the coverage area. Some of the best estimations are based on a mathematical model developed by the team of Anita Longley and Phil Rice in Boulder Colorado. Their model, the Irregular Terrain Model, takes the curve of the earth along with its ridges and valleys into play and does a fairly accurate job of predicting if a signal sent from one point reaches another point and at what strength. The model takes several things into consideration in its projection of coverage. Chief among them are the "big three" of frequency, radiated power, and the height above ground of the antenna. Also playing an important part of the calculation is the radiation pattern for the transmitting antenna. The coverage radius for a repeater is typically based on just two factors, the transmitter power and antenna height. This provides a guess that you should be able to both transmit and receive better than 80% of the time within the area calculated. The only time the model is 100% correct is when there is a clear path between the two stations (line of sight for VHF and UHF). So yes, you are correct in stating because you are in the radius reception and transmission may not be possible. But other than that, the rest of your statement should not be taken as being fully accurate. The ability to reach a fixed location, the repeater, depends soley on the position and power from the mobile station. We refer to this condition as the "talk out" and "talk in" projections.

Just because "I saw it on the Internet" doesn't necessarily imply it is correct or complete information. You need to know and understand the source and their agenda in accepting the information as correct. With radios, the allowable frequencies and uses are set by both regulation and treaty. Treaties between countries are important as radio waves do not respect borders so agreements are needed to mesh the use between different purposes as defined by each. As an example, Canada has assigned different uses for some radio frequencies than they are in the US. The treaty allowing some frequencies to be used also blocks others because the frequency is intended for a different use in their country. I

You have two things to understand here. Repeaters are almost always higher power than your hand held (HH). Repeater antennas are almost always higher above ground than your HH antenna. Power means better coverage for the signal area and height means distance. The higher above the average terrain in your area you put an antenna, the greater area served.

More likely the battery is bad from being over discharged as it probably doesn't have a low voltage cutoff.

Yes, they are called SDR (Software Defined Radios) and interface to your computer.

Ahh, another wallet in the wishing well!

Yup, welcome to the zoo!

While there is some truth in what @Socalgmrs sys, the shape of the ground plane isn't as important as it sounds. Your antenna will work fine with a better radiation pattern front and back than to the sides.

Definitely sounds as if it is a configuration issue. Does the repeater use tones? If so, remove the tone on the transmit frequency (462 MHz) and on the handsets receive (also the 462 MHz frequency). Be certain the HH transmit frequency has the same tone as the repeater's receive frequency (467 MHz). Does a HH open the repeater's receiver on the 467 frequency? What antenna is the repeater using? Is the antenna tilted away from your location? That may cause the radiation pattern to be more elevated when using higher power. Try a different antenna with the repeater. Just some thoughts on trying to diagnose the issue.

Talk around is found primarily in digital radios which are not approved under Part 95(E).

The GP9NC highest frequency is 450 MHz while the GP6NC's is 470 MHz. The 6 covers the GMRS frequencies while the GP9 cuts off below GMRS.

Stay with the 6NC.

All the radios have to be on the same channel to reach each other. To monitor and use both a repeater and simplex channels the radio must be capable of dual channel operations. In other words, both an A and B channel.

Welcome- and how deep is your pocket?

You'll need an SMA to SO239 adapter cable. Here's one, but there are many others available. https://www.amazon.com/Superbat-Adapter-Baofeng-Handheld-Antenna/dp/B07FC825HF?ref_=ast_sto_dp

wELCOME - AND IT SOUNDS AS IF YOU HAVE A REAL TREASURE TROVE FROM YOUR GRANDFATHER.

I recommend you program the radio using CHIRP and a computer. As they are then directly connected you don't have to worry about spurious signals messing up the radio.

Where are you testing the SWR? Test it where the coax goes into the antenna to be certain your coax is good. You'll need to use a dummy load in place of the antenna. Also be certain you have the correct SWR/Power meter as the GMRS ones are not designed to work on CB frequencies.

There are a few having a negative offset in the Carolinas where the repeater's input is at the upper portions of the amateur band.

The WCARS repeater W4MOE (146.91, -.6, 91.5) on Mt. Spivey did a wonderful job collecting information and disseminating it. I helped what I could from my location in S. Asheville before leaving because of no electricity or water. My power will be on by midnight Friday, but no word on water. The storm washed out roads and bridges, undermined pipes which caused breakage and damaged the water/sewer treatment plants. Makes me proud that I was able to contribute to the information flow in my little corner of S. Asheville.

We aim to please

The only protocols mentioned in the last expired EXTRA question pool were PACTOR and one other. Nothing about what they were or how they were formatted, just about what equipment was needed.